Registered Nurse Program Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements for the Registered Nurse Program?

The Registered Nurse Program is selective in its admissions criteria. As such, there are several steps you must take to be admitted. First, you must submit all the documents required for admission - in other words, complete your file. The documents required include a college application, official high school and college grade transcripts, ACT or SAT test score, and TEAS test score. High school level biology and chemistry courses (or a college equivalent course) with a “C” grade or better is also required. Additionally, students must have completed a Nurse Assistant Course (STN 110 at Owens Community College) or equivalent course prior to the first clinical nursing course.

Is there a waiting list for the next Nursing class?

There is no waiting list for upcoming nursing classes. The Admission Committee holds two evaluation meetings per year, one in January and one in June. In January the committee selects the class for the upcoming fall semester. In June the committee selects the class for the following spring (January) semester.

Why did I receive an e-mail stating my file is incomplete?

You received an e-mail to inform you of missing documents that must be submitted to the records office before we consider your file complete. We only send complete files to the Admission Committee. To access your file, log in to your Ozone Account and click on My Required Documents under Student Quick Links to view the list of missing components. If a document has been received, a date will be entered next to the document.

I graduated from high school about 15 years ago. Are my high school chemistry and biology grades outdated, or can they still be used to complete my file?

There is no time limit on high school courses. As such, they may be used to complete the biology and chemistry portion of your application.

Where do I take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)?

All ATI TEAS tests must be taken at the Owens Community College Testing Center on the Toledo or Findlay Campuses. You must schedule an appointment to take this four hour test. If a student has taken the current version of the TEAS test at another location or for another program, it is the student’s responsibility to have the scores sent to the Owens Community College Oserve Office.

Can I repeat the TEAS?

The Admission Committee will only award points based upon your first attempt at the TEAS test. While you may retake the TEAS, we will only use the score on your first attempt.

How can I best prepare for the TEAS?

Go online to www.atitesting.com for information about the TEAS test. There are materials that you can purchase from ATI to prepare for the test. The ATI TEAS is a timed test and students have four hours in which to complete the test. There are ATI study guides available to be used in the Toledo & Findlay campus libraries.

When should I take the TEAS test?

Your TEAS score counts for 32% of the total number of points in your evaluation. As such, you should take the TEAS in the semester prior to the semester in which you wish to be evaluated for admission into the nursing program. For example, if you wish to be evaluated for admission in January, then you should take the TEAS during the preceding fall semester.

What happens if I do not get into the program?

You should meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss changes that you can make to improve your point total for admission. You can reapply for Nursing Program admission through your OZONE account.

Where do I take the ACT?

The National ACT is administered 6 times per year by the Owens Community College Toledo and Findlay Testing Centers. To register for the National ACT go to www.actstudent.org. You can select your test day, test site, and pay for your test online at this website.

If you prefer to take the Residual ACT, the Owens Community College Testing Center administers the test about 6 times per year. The Residual ACT scores will only stay at Owens and will never transfer or be reported to other schools. Contact the Testing Center at 567-661-TEST for an information sheet and for details for test dates and payment. NOTE: It takes approximately 6-8 weeks for scores to be reported to students and to the schools that you have selected to receive your scores.

Can I repeat my ACT?

Yes, but we will only use the most recent composite score. That means that if you took the ACT in 2009 and again in 2010, we would use the score achieved in 2010. It takes approximately 6-8 weeks for scores to be reported to students and to the schools that you have selected to receive your scores. There are retest guidelines for ACT. Go to www.actstudent.org to see if you are eligible to retest based upon the last time you tested.

I took my ACT about 10 years ago. Can I still use that score?

There is no time limit on the ACT. Yes, you can use an older score, but you should review all of your application materials with your Academic Advisor.

Can I use an SAT or a GRE score instead of an ACT score?

The SAT score will be converted to the ACT equivalent. A GRE score is not accepted.

The Admissions Criteria states that only the grade on my first attempt is used for point calculations. What does that mean?

Some students choose to repeat courses in order to obtain a better grade. The Admission Committee will use the grade earned the first time that you take a science course. For example, if you took Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 211) in spring semester 2011 and earned a grade of “B,” and then repeated BIO 211 in the fall semester 2011 and earned a grade of “A”, the Admission Committee will use only the “B” grade from spring 2011.

Can I repeat a course for improvements in my overall GPA?

In the calculation of your overall GPA, all repeated course grades are included. If you repeat a BIO course, the new grade will be included in your overall GPA. However, only your first attempt at BIO courses, as required in the Nursing Program curriculum, will be included in the science point total calculation of the selection criteria.

What is the minimum number of points needed for admission?

The Admission Committee will evaluate candidates for admission two times per year. Each applicant will be assigned points based upon the admissions criteria. Students will be ranked from those with the highest number of points to those with the lowest number. The nursing department will determine how many seats will be available for the upcoming semester’s nursing class. Those with the highest number of points will receive the first offer of admission. The minimum number of points that a student must earn to be considered for admission is 15 points out of 50 possible total points.

Will I be evaluated on my high school record or on my college record?

If you have accumulated 11 credit hours or more in college, three (3) of which credit hours include math or science requirements in the Nursing Program plan of study, then you will be evaluated on your college record. If you have less than 11 college credit hours earned, or if you do not have 3 hours in the required math/science areas, then you will be evaluated based upon your high school GPA. For additional information please see your Academic advisor.

Does the Nursing Program require background checks?

The Registered Nurse Program requires a BCI & I and a FBI background check. One background check is required prior to the start of the first clinical course, Introduction to Nursing Concepts (NUR 101) and one background check is required prior to the start of the fourth semester of the program. If you have a concern about your background information, you can refer to the Ohio Board of Nursing website directly at www.nursing.ohio.gov.